Questions to ask potential babysitter...

titantsmama

I am excited and nervous about our first reply to a job listing I posted at a local college. I have no idea where to begin...

Isn't there a list of questions somewhere?

Are there specific things I should ask for other than references?

How many hours/times would you have someone come over to see how they interact/respond to your kids?

SweetieP

I don't have any specific questions but off the top of my head here's what I would ask:

 

1)  How long have you been baby sitting?

2)  Do you have any ECE units (or whatever they're called)?

3)  Are first aid/cpr certified?

4)  How many kids have you watched and what were their ages?

5)  What's the youngest child you've watched?  The oldest?

6)  Have you much experience with a toddler/pre-schooler?  If so, please describe a situation where you wanted the toddler to do something (or not do something) and how you handled the situation.

7) Do you have transportation?

8) How would you handle this situation:  (Describe a situation where Ty is freaking out and Jake is crying....)

9)  Do you have references?

10)  If I were to ask your most recent reference to describe you in a couple of words, what do you think that he/she would say?

11)  If I were to ask your most recent reference's child to describe you, what would the child say?

12)  Would you be willing to come play with the kids while I'm home so that we can be sure that it's a good fit?  (Maybe pay half their rate for this?)

 

titantsmama

MrsJulieT:

I think it depends what type of babysitting. Is this like daycare babysitting so you can sub or is it night time babysitting so you and DH can go on dates?

She would likely be on call for us for evening things (DH's work events/dinners, basketball games, date nights) as well as work a few hours a week during the day so I can have some quiet time/workout/run errands/etc.

titantsmama

SweetieP:

I don't have any specific questions but off the top of my head here's what I would ask:

 

1)  How long have you been baby sitting?

2)  Do you have any ECE units (or whatever they're called)?

3)  Are first aid/cpr certified?

4)  How many kids have you watched and what were their ages?

5)  What's the youngest child you've watched?  The oldest?

6)  Have you much experience with a toddler/pre-schooler?  If so, please describe a situation where you wanted the toddler to do something (or not do something) and how you handled the situation.

7) Do you have transportation?

8) How would you handle this situation:  (Describe a situation where Ty is freaking out and Jake is crying....)

9)  Do you have references?

10)  If I were to ask your most recent reference to describe you in a couple of words, what do you think that he/she would say?

11)  If I were to ask your most recent reference's child to describe you, what would the child say?

12)  Would you be willing to come play with the kids while I'm home so that we can be sure that it's a good fit?  (Maybe pay half their rate for this?)

 

EXCELLENT questions, Donna. Thank you!!

hersheykiss

If you are looking at high school/college age kids I would also ask about their availability. Are there certain days they cannot babysit? Certain days they have to be home before XXX time? Are they available weekends?

I know some of those sound silly, but you might be surprised. I know some that are not willing to give up their Saturday party nights.